Smartphone and tablet users know the importance of a WiFi network for faster data usage. Cellular carriers finally understand the necessity of WiFi as a method of data offload. WiFi providers, long-aware of WiFi as a cellular network saving-grace, have watched as the cellular companies have been forced to acquiesce. So why is there still so much discussion about the how and why of WiFi as 3/4G data offload?

Despite the public’s understanding of the necessity of WiFi – there are still some areas in which the process needs to be perfected for the end-user. Namely, the seamless transfer between 4G and WiFi. Customers don’t want to have to worry about choosing the best network for use of their devices and data traffic … they just want it to work and to work well.

This week’s Mobile World Congress in Spain is expected to host a lot of conversation about WiFi data offload. Both Cisco and Ruckus will be introducing new technology that address the issue of the end-user and and creates, ” a peaceful co-existence with 4G,” Cisco’s Jaishree Subramaria, manager for mobility, told FierceBroadband Wireless. Subramaria went on to say: “The very foundation of our approach is a carrier-grade system across the entire network architecture. The key is the unification for architecture. It’s all about delivering consistent WiFi experience across a variety of environments, and all of this can be managed and controlled from a single point in a carrier network”. Solutions from Cisco include Cisco Aironet 1550 series APs which are capable of handling heavy data traffic as well SIM-based authentication (as opposed to the user having to choose an SSID) which is part of the (new) 802.11u standard. Ruckus has introduced new technology that “integrates WiFi into mobile network infrastructures”.